Feingold on McCain, Lieberman

Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold gives his take on John McCain and Joe Lieberman. Although he helped Feingold spearhead the campaign finance reform which bears their names, Feingold says he and John McCain are miles apart politically. “He was always a very, very conservative man who does not focus very much on the day to day needs of American familes,” says Feingold. “That doesn't mean he's a bad guy, I think he's a good guy, but he's not focused on this enormous pressure that American families are feeling, and that is what the test should be for the next president.”

As for Joe Lieberman, Feingold says the Connecticut Senator hasn't made the job of Senate Democrats any easier with his high profile endorsement of McCain. “He comes to our caucus lunches on Tuesday, and he's a gentleman,” Feingold says. “But it is kind of hard to think of him of a Democrat these days. I think over the long term, it's going to be hard for him to maintain his role as a member of the Democratic caucus, if he continues to be that supportive of Republican candidates.”

Feingold says Lieberman seems to be banking on a Republican win, and a role in a McCain administration. He also says he's not interested in “punishing” Lieberman for supporting McCain — but hopes Democrats pick up more Senate seats in November: “we only have 51 Democrats, and that means you're counting Joe Lieberman.”